Getting the Point
Las Vegas Emerging as Employment Center
by Tony Illia

"Centra Point," a $55 million, Class A office complex is under construction in southwest Las Vegas.

Centra Properties, LLC, of Henderson, and Sacramento-based Panattoni Development Inc. are jointly developing the 300,000-sq.-ft. project in a 21-acre master-planned park on the north side of the Interstate-215 Beltway at Durango Drive.

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Designed by Howard F. Thompson Architects of Las Vegas, the complex will feature six concrete tilt-wall buildings, ranging from two- to three-stories tall and up to 60,000 sq. ft. in size. The tan-colored structures feature floor-to-ceiling windows, grand central lobbies, and decorative sunscreen trellises.

Panattoni Construction Inc., a division of Panattoni Development of Sacramento, is the general contractor.

The initial phase, slated for occupancy by February, calls for three buildings, totaling 60,008 sq. ft. "The center's southwest location, a growing area projected to have 180,000 residents by 2005, has resulted in high tenant interest," said James Stuart, Centra's president. "In addition, Centra Point has quick freeway access and is close to Summerlin and Green Valley."

The project has had some obstacles, including a hard ground site containing caliche rock. Panattoni had to use 15,000 sticks of dynamite in order to blast-out the solid-earth down to 6 -to- 10 -ft below grade. In addition, utilities were brought to the site from 1 mi. away, a task that called for 410-ft.-long jack-and-bore underneath the I-215 Beltway.

Set atop concrete spread footings, the buildings will consist of cast-onsite concrete panels that will be erected within a three-day period. The panel openings must meet the window measurements within .125 in. That's not easy, considering that 220 windows were ordered before work on the job ever began. The buildings utilize a sea-foam green UV coated glazing system.

"Due to the expedited schedule, we had to order the windows two months in advance," said Charlie Mitchener, Panattoni's vice president of construction. "Consequently, we have to field measure and cast the building panels within .125 in. to meet the window sizes. So there's no room for error."

A total of 6,400 cu. yds. of concrete and 175 tons of steel will go into the first-phase buildings. That's enough concrete and steel to build five Olympic-sized swimming pools and three armored tanks. The largest panel measures 41- ft.- wide by 55.6- ft.- tall, and weighs 114,975 lbs. About 125 workers will be onsite during the height of construction activity.

The center makes extensive use of day-lighting with 100 window openings and massive glass entryways that measure 43 -ft. -wide by 34- ft. -tall.

The interior has high-end finishes such as cherry wood and limestone, plus high-tech wiring for computer systems. Each building is serviced by a 260-ton roof-mounted Variable Air Volume system. There will also be a 14,400- sq.- ft. courtyard area with canopy trees, planters and benches.

"It's meant as nice shaded area for people to gather, eat lunch or relax," said Doug Roberts, a partner at Panattoni Development. "We wanted to make it a relaxed, soothing environment for people to come together."

Centra Point will also have 1,424 surface parking spaces, lush landscaping and a 6,000-sq.-ft. restaurant. The complex will be located near other new developments proposed for the area, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' 115-acre technology center at Sunset and Durango roads; the $140 million, 130-bed Southern Hills Hospital on West. Sunset Road and the $145 million, 140-bed St. Rose Dominican Hospital on Warm Springs Road.

"The Southwest is an emerging employment corridor and robust area," said Jeremy Aguero, principal of Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based economic research firm.
"[Centra Point] will have the traffic accessibility and will be competitive with other listings."

Plans are already under way for Centra Point's second phase, three buildings combining for 41,000 -sq. ft. that are slated to begin construction in March 2004 and finish by September.